Year-End Cyber Security Checklist: A Gift To Your Business from Infosec K2K
December has arrived, and as the year draws to a close, it’s not just buying gifts and decorating trees that demands your attention. As you prepare for the new year, it’s important to take a moment to assess your cyber security defences. Cyber criminals won’t take time off for the holidays, after all. Here at Infosec K2K, we understand the importance of ending the year on a secure note. That’s why we present to you our Year-End Cyber Security Checklist – a gift to help you prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.
Conduct a Comprehensive Audit
If you want to ensure your networks are as secure as possible, start by taking stock of your current infrastructure. Evaluate existing security policies, procedures, and technologies, and identify any vulnerabilities that may have emerged over the past year. A security audit can give you an understanding of your organisation’s security status and a better idea of what needs to be improved. At Infosec K2K, we can do this for you, by assessing your network and cyber security strategy. With our comprehensive IAM Health Check, our staff will evaluate everything from your user lifecycle management to how well you adhere to regulatory requirements.
Update and Patch Systems Regularly
Outdated software and unpatched systems are low-hanging fruit for cyber criminals, so don’t give them the opportunity to find their way into your network. By ensuring all of your systems – including operating systems, antivirus software, employees’ devices, and applications – are up to date with the latest security patches, you can reduce your organisation’s attack surface. Regularly updating and patching your systems is one of the most simple yet effective ways of guarding against known vulnerabilities.
Reinforce Your IAM Policies
IAM, or Identity and Access Management, is indispensable for modern businesses because it centralises and secures your users’ digital identities. By allowing businesses to manage user access, IAM ensures only the right individuals have appropriate permissions. You can ensure your employees have the necessary access rights and privileges, and can revoke access for individuals who no longer require it. IAM can add an extra layer of security to your business. If you need help, we’re here. With our IAM Assessments, we’ll find any gaps and offer recommendations.
Educate and Train Employees
Human error remains one of the leading causes of cyber security incidents, so we recommend empowering your employees with cyber security awareness training. Educate them about the methods that cyber criminals are using, the social engineering tactics that you should be on the lookout for, and the importance of strong password hygiene. A well-informed workforce is your first line of defence against cyber threats.
Review Incident Response Plans
No organisation’s immune to cyber threats, and having a well-defined incident response plan is essential. In the case of a cyber incident, every minute counts. Despite this, the UK government’s Cyber security breaches survey 2023 revealed only 21% of businesses have a formal incident response plan. We recommend drawing up a plan if you don’t already have one in place. If you do, review and update your plans, taking into account lessons learned from any incidents from the past year. Ensure that your team is prepared to respond quickly and effectively in the event of a security breach.
Engage in Penetration Testing
Consider engaging in penetration testing to simulate real-world cyber-attacks. This proactive approach to cyber security allows you to identify and address any potential vulnerabilities or gaps in your defences before malicious actors can exploit them. We offer a range of security assurance services, including penetration testing and breach and attacking simulation modelling. Our expert team will find and mitigate any weaknesses, giving you valuable insights into the effectiveness of your defences and helping you fine-tune your cyber strategy.
Manage Your Cyber Security Alerts
Over half of large businesses receive more than 1,000 cyber security alerts every day. It’s important that these are managed properly, as failing to investigate and respond to them can have severe consequences. At Infosec K2K, our Managed SOC services provide real-time monitoring, threat detection, and incident response. Our expert team ensures that potential security incidents and malicious spoofing attempts are promptly identified and addressed. Our partner, DomainTools, also helps businesses respond to cyber threats promptly and effectively with their domain intelligence services – their cyber security practitioners offer real-time predictive risk scoring for 13 billion domains and IPs.
Stay Informed About Emerging Threats
Finally, we recommend staying up to date with the newest cyber threats. They’re constantly evolving, which means that staying ahead of the curve can help you protect your business. Subscribe to reliable sources and stay informed about the emerging threats and attack vectors you need to watch out for. Keep an eye on our LinkedIn page, for example, as our weekly newsletter rounds up the biggest cyber news stories. Staying on top of these developments can help you proactively adjust your cyber security defences and counter new threats.
As we approach the end of the year, take the time to prioritise your organisation’s cyber security. Following the above advice can help to ensure a secure start for the new year. Remember – cyber security is an ongoing process, and investing in your defences today can pay dividends in the future.
Whatever solution you’re looking for, we can help. The experts at Infosec K2K can offer you specialist guidance, and help you find the product that’s the best fit for you.
Get in touch with us to find out more about how we can help you.